What consitutes the title Cue Maker.

manwon

manwon

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello, I have been wondering about this subject for sometime!! When and what separates some one who is a Cue Repairman that builds conversion cues from some one who is considered be a Cue Maker. I build co version cues and I also do repairs / restoration of cues both Antique and Modern. I converted my first cue in late 2006, and I have since completely assembled other cues from materials that I have turned from square pieces of stock and assembled. None of the cues I have built that have points are point blanks of my own construction, to date they have been purchased or converted from existing cue that were broken. I am currently involved in point blank construction, however, my work has not come to the point where I would be comfortable taking it public, or using for a finished product.

Now with all this said, I personally do not consider myself a cue maker, even though I am making a sought after product locally. When would some one using myself as an example meet the requirements / standards necessary to truly be called a Cue Maker.

In addition what standards would you consider a individual to meet to hold that title.

Thanks for everyones thought's on this subject!!!!!!
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
I have an opinion by for now I will wait to comment.
Click to expand...

Hey Bruce, please your opinion is as valid as anyones here. I do not think my question is written anywhere, so opinion are all I am going get. However, it is the consensus of these that I am looking for.

Have a good day!!!!!
 
This is really a no brainer.

I am sure there are those that can write a full masters thesis on this ... but the simple truth is .....

A Cue Maker is any person who makes cues.

Not all cue makers are good, masters, or experts, but they all are cuemakers.
 
Last edited:
from my stand point a cue maker is someone that can produce a cue that plays well. I don't care if they assemble the cue from some one elses blanks. I do care about shaft wood, selection of joint types, tapers of butt and shafts, ferrule material, tip type, adhesives etc..

If you can convert a old sneaky into something else, then the finished product is something that you made.

Now on a pricing scale I do expect a lower price from people buying blanks than making their own. I expect to pay more to the person that is making everything from scratch, since that all takes time and time is money. Lots and lots of makers buy blanks, some I could name others I'm sure I'd be surprised by. Don't really care as long as its a quality piece.

Everyone starts somewhere, some people find a niche market and stay there. The really good cue makers from what I can tell are always trying to improve, trying new things, and not staying stagnant.
 
I think there are cue builders and then there are cue assemblers,If I buy all the parts for a car from Ford and put them together I wouldnt consider my self a car maker.....just my 2cents
 
dbCustomCues said:
I think there are cue builders and then there are cue assemblers,If I buy all the parts for a car from Ford and put them together I wouldnt consider my self a car maker.....just my 2cents
Click to expand...

what are you if you customized it?
 
????????????

Regardless of what you may think others consider you a cuemaker an thats a good thing. One thing I like about you is you don't BS.
Pinocchio
 
If you made your own forearm ( your aged wood be it pointed or not ) join that to a handle yourself, cut your own shaft and install the collars/pins/ferrule and tips yourself, you made your cue.
 
If you can build a solid cue to close tolerances, that someone will pay good money for, you're a cuemaker.
 
Craig,
Let me throw it back at you..........Why don't you feel you are a cuemaker?




<~~~if I'm understanding your question right............
 
i agree if you make a good playing cue from parts or other cues as long as the end product plays well thats what counts.
points, inlays , veneers i believe brings that person to a higher level
even the best out there had to start somewhere no ones born a top cue maker. its takes hard work and trail and error. there are top cue makers making nice looking cues that don't play as good as they look so playability would be first then moving on to other harder things
just ask Eddie hes a top cue maker isn't he?
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
Craig,
Let me throw it back at you..........Why don't you feel you are a cuemaker?




<~~~if I'm understanding your question right............
Click to expand...

In my opinion being a Cue Maker is title that certainly encompasses much more than building cues. I hold myself to the following standards:

1) The ability to properly grade woods, along with the ability purchase and properly prepare woods ( Proper Seasoning) for cue construction.

2) The necessary knowledge of wood characteristics and how they will react with other wood and man made materials during construction.

3) The ability and knowledge to choose the right Adhesive for all areas and steps of construction.

4) The knowledge and experience necessary to machine the materials outlined above, and the experience / techniques to join them and prepare them for assemble and finish application.

5) The ability to make Point Blanks.

6) The ability to inlay materials.

7) To build a cue that meets the structural requirements necessary for a life time of use, and that also meets the playability requirements of those who use them.

Dave in my opinion, these are the basic requirements that I hold myself to. To date I have not meet them all to my satisfaction, however, these only apply to me. I would like the input and opinions of others as well, to help me understand how people preceive the title Cue Maker.

Thanks Dave!!!!!!!
 
manwon said:
Hey Bruce, please your opinion is as valid as anyones here. I do not think my question is written anywhere, so opinion are all I am going get. However, it is the consensus of these that I am looking for.

Have a good day!!!!!
Click to expand...

I will make an observation in a day or two.
cheerleader.gif
 
on being a cuemaker...

It is not the end in itself to be called a cuemaker and then we are done. I offer for discussion that it is the journey that we undertake to make a better cue that earns us the right to be called "cuemaker". That journey never ends and no single cue is the end all. We will always seek to do better. If we repeat ad infinitum what we have already mastered then we are merely a manufacturer.
Best wishes on your journey Manwon!
 
olsonsview said:
It is not the end in itself to be called a cuemaker and then we are done. I offer for discussion that it is the journey that we undertake to make a better cue that earns us the right to be called "cuemaker". That journey never ends and no single cue is the end all. We will always seek to do better. If we repeat ad infinitum what we have already mastered then we are merely a manufacturer.
Best wishes on your journey Manwon!
Click to expand...
Well said!
 
I started making Qs over 20 years ago. People started calling me a Qmaker, as soon as I started. I felt I deserved the title. Then I learned to age my wood & used different glues & I felt I WAS a Qmaker. Then I made my 1st pointed Q & I reasured myself that I really knew my craft. Then I started doing inlays & I was ready to be King. Then I realized that I was joining my forearms to the handles WRONG. I doubted that I was as good as I could be. I changed my construction methods & then i knew I was the best I could be. Then I changed my finish ETC ETC..... In otherwords it is a journey that never ends, but yes I was right at every turn....I WAS & AM A CUEMAKER...JER
 
If you can start from boards and make a consistently good playing cue with no attendent problems and repeatability from cue to cue, youy are a cuemaker.
 
manwon said:
In my opinion being a Cue Maker is title that certainly encompasses much more than building cues. I hold myself to the following standards:

1) The ability to properly grade woods, along with the ability purchase and properly prepare woods ( Proper Seasoning) for cue construction.

2) The necessary knowledge of wood characteristics and how they will react with other wood and man made materials during construction.

3) The ability and knowledge to choose the right Adhesive for all areas and steps of construction.

4) The knowledge and experience necessary to machine the materials outlined above, and the experience / techniques to join them and prepare them for assemble and finish application.

5) The ability to make Point Blanks.

6) The ability to inlay materials.

7) To build a cue that meets the structural requirements necessary for a life time of use, and that also meets the playability requirements of those who use them.

Dave in my opinion, these are the basic requirements that I hold myself to. To date I have not meet them all to my satisfaction, however, these only apply to me. I would like the input and opinions of others as well, to help me understand how people preceive the title Cue Maker.

Thanks Dave!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I would have say if you fit in all of the above, excluding 5 and 6, then you would pretty much fit the bill. These two items....IMO.....are only embellishments to the instrument. I'm sure some would argue that #5 is a
bit more though.

<~~~thinks Craig is a Qmaker..............
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top